The cop at Kotwali police station allegedly said he would take her complaint and act on it only if she gave him a massage. A photo taken by an onlooker went viral

June 17, 2016, NewsCrunch

In the lawless Uttar Pradesh, a police official allegedly forced a woman to give him a massage in the police station.

The woman had reportedly gone to file a complaint at the Kotwali police station in Hardoi district, about 110 kms from Lucknow.

The official allegedly said he would take her complaint and act on it only if she gave him a massage.

He also seems to have had the brazenness to strip to his shorts and sit on the floor of the police station, while the hapless woman massaged him.

A photo taken by an onlooker shows the woman bent over the cop and giving him a massage.

After the photo went viral many local women organisations went on protest demanding immediate action against the erring police official.

A senior police officer of Hardoi spoke off the record and said the woman was a professional masseur, who sold home-made oil. She had just gone to the police station looking for some business, he claimed.

The controversy echoes another incident in which a man, who gone to lodge a complaint, had been made to polish shoes of policemen at Muzaffarnagar, also in UP.

Many have demanded that the Buddha’s relics should be shifted from the National Museum to a temple to make it easy for believers like Prayut Chan-o-cha to worship them. Pic ANI

June 18, 2016, NewsCrunch

Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha, a devout Buddhist, made time to visit NationalMuseumat New Delhi on Friday and prayed to the sacred Buddha relics.

Prayut Chan-o-cha, a former Army chief and follower of Theravada Buddhism, is known for intense faith in Thailand. He wears an elephant hair bracelet to ward off bad luck and has a collection of lucky rings. He is known to consult a fortune teller and has in the past blamed his political rivals for casting spells to make him fall ill.

The NationalMuseum houses four bone fragments stated to be of Buddha at a replica of stupa. The fragments, which are kept in caskets, are part of the trove of 22 bone fragments that were discovered in the 1970s in Kapilavastu, Uttar Pradesh.

The caskets were excavated from a stupa during an excavation at Piprahwa in 1972 by K M Srivastava, a former director of the Archaeological Survey of India.

Nepaldisputes that the bone fragments belong to Buddha and also contends Piprahwa is not the Kapilavastu of the past.

But the Buddhists a over the world worship the fragments as sacred relics of Buddha himself.

Many have demanded that the Buddha’s relics should be shifted from the National Museum to a temple to make it easy for believers like Prayut Chan-o-cha to worship them. Pic ANI

Indiaearlier used to send these relics to other countries on a goodwill tours to allow local Buddhists worship them. The practice has since stopped.

Last year, Modi had requested for a display of these relics at a function outside the NationalMuseum. But the Director General of the Museum Dr Ven Vasudevan had refused to part with them saying they were too fragile to be disturbed.

The IAS officer was abruptly transferred to sports ministry though he had completed only half of his tenure.

Various individuals including Minster of State for Home Kiiren Riiju have demanded that the Buddha’s relics should be shifted from the museum to a temple to make it easy for the faithful to worship them.

Many have demanded that the Buddha’s relics should be shifted from the National Museum to a temple to make it easy for believers like Prayut Chan-o-cha to worship them. Pic ANI

Siddharth Slathia claim to fame comes from his YouTube channel which he has been developing for over four years now (videos below)

June 18, 2016, NewsCrunch

Siddharth Slathia is not a name in Bollywood music you may be familiar with – but the budding singer is a viral factory – churning out hit one cover after another.

The 24-year-old singer was recently in the buzz after he released a video of Tum Hi Ho, singing it in 10 styles of different singers. He pulled off the breathtaking effort and was widely appreciated for that.

A look at his evolution shows that the feat while very impressive may not have been very difficult for him.

He is trained in Indian classical music and holds a graduate degree in music from JammuUniversity. He has also worked as the Chief Mentor at IndianIdolAcademy.

His claim to fame comes from his YouTube channel which he has been developing for over four years now. Many songs especially Bollywood covers posted by him have gone viral, making Siddharth Slathia one of the widely listened to singers of the country.

Siddharth Slathia wants to break into Bollywood singing and has recorded 11 songs with the Saregama record. He also composes his own music.

Video: Siddharth Slathia - Sanam Re

Alina Moine, a former model for Sule a lingerie brand, was discussing Rio Olympics with a colleague on a live show when the mishap struck (video below)

June 18, 2016, NewsCrunch

Argentina’s top journalist Alina Moine suffered mother of all wardrobe malfunctions on live camera.

The Fox Sports journalist accidentally lifted her skirt to reveal her underwear when she was on live camera during a programme.

Alina Moine, a former model for Sule a lingerie brand, was discussing Rio Olympics with a colleague on a live show. She lifted her hand not knowing it had got entangled with the short skirt she was wearing.

As the hand went up, so did her skirt, flashing her underwear. Alina Moine had the presence of mind to carry on without missing a beat though after restoring the skirt to its position.

The incident occurred last December, but went viral again recently, after a few English media outlets picked it up.

Argentina’s top journalist Alina Moine has mother of all wardrobe malfunctions on live camera – skirt goes up accidentally (video)

Raghavan says Tamil Brahminsare no longer clannish and now enjoy targeting each other for their perceived inadequacies or snobbishness.

June 19, 2016, NewsCrunch

There is a Tamil Brahmin subplot in the Subramanian Swamy Vs Raghuram Rajan saga, notes a famous member of the community, R K Raghavan, former head of CBI.

Writing in The Quint recently, he had noted that it was a case of one Tamil Brahmin (Subramanian Swamy) targeting another (Raghuram Rajan).

Raghavan notes that he is extremely annoyed and intrigued that Raghuram Rajan’s chief tormentor was a Tamil Brahmin or TamBram, as they are popularly called.

The detractors of Tamil Brahmins see them as extremely clannish.

Raghavan says that is no longer the case as Tamil Brahmins now enjoy targeting each other for their perceived inadequacies or snobbishness.

He goes on to cite his own personal example and says his own detractors in the bureaucracy were all Tamil Brahmins.

They continue to haunt and despise him for their imaginary grievances, he adds.

Raghavan overlooks to mention that Subramanian Swamy's campaign against Raghuram Rajan received a boost when sangh parivaar ideologue S Gurumuthy came out in support. Unlike Subramanian Swamy, S Gurumuthy has been a longtime associate of the various saffron groups and is taken very seriously by the RSS.

It was his backing to Subramanian Swamy that signalled that the entire might of the sangh parivaar was against Raghuram Rajan. S Gurumuthy is another illustrious member of the Tamil Brahmin community.

For the record, former Finance Minister P Chidambaram who played a key role in bringing in Raghuram Rajan as RBI governor is also a Tamil Brahmin.

The photos suggest that the main fight of Baahubali 2 climax will be between Rana Daggubati and Prabhas and it will take place inside Mahishapuri.

June 19, 2016, NewsCrunch

The shooting for the climax of the highly awaited Baahubali 2 has begun at Ramoji Rao studios in Hyderabad.

The climax, which will be the grand culmination of the film that has broken all records, will cost the filmmakers Rs 30 crores.

Director Rajamouli has enforced a strict clampdown to ensure there is no leak of any visual to keep the surprise factor simmering.

The only source to get a sense of what is happening on the scenes is Lee Whittaker, Hollywood stunt specialist, who is directing action scenes in Baahubali 2. He has been posting photos on his Instagram page to give tantalising hints.

The photos suggest that the main fight will be between Rana Daggubati and Prabhas and it will take place inside Mahishapuri. There are cranes and harnesses that hang from the ceiling to suggest there will be a lot of action in the air.

The slick visual shows a white-coloured Land Rover pulling three coaches of the train over a 85-feet bridge in Switzerland (video below)

June 19, 2016, NewsCrunch

An ad for Land Rover Discovery Sport showing it towing a train over a long bridge has gone viral.

The slick visual shows a white-coloured Land Rover pulling three coaches of the train over a 85-feet bridge in Switzerland.

We are informed that the Land Rover, which comes with 178-bhp diesel engine, is built to tow about 2.5 tonnes of the weight. So, it is indeed impressive when it pulls along a train weighing 100 tonnes, 58 times over its designed capability.

The feat has made the video go viral, but many mostly Indian viewers are not impressed.

They say there is not much friction between the track and the iron wheels of the train and so pulling it on a flat surface is no big deal. If the Land Rover performs the same feat on a train with rubber wheels on a motor road in two degree ascension that would be remarkable, they say.

Land Rover, owned by Jaguar Land Rover, was acquired by India's Tata Motors in 2008.

You don't need much power compared to size of the train as there is less frictional force between iron rail and iron wheels of train.... If the train had rubber tyres and laid down to the motorable roads... Then it'd be impossible for a land rover to pull it.... Its science... But no doubt its the best car in this segment (Rupam Sarkar)

its a smooth surface without much friction.this can be done most of these same segment powerd car or may be less..not abig deal (Jasim AT)

Land Rover pulls train in viral video - but many not impressed

After Independence many had predicted that India would disintegrate due to its diversity and proving them wrong was the country's unsung accomplishment, said Shashi Tharoor (video below)

July 19, 2016, NewsCrunch

Not many can explain India's strengths in democracy and tolerance as eloquently as Shahshi Tharoor.

Taking part in a discussion on CNBC Asia in Singapore, along with British journalist Martin Jacques, he was asked by moderator Martin Soong whether India's diversity was a drawback. Did China with its homogeneity had an edge? he asked.

Shahshi Tharoor said India had learnt to manage its diversity through democracy and consensus. While Indians were differentiated and diversity was indeed a source of conflict, the nation had learnt to follow the ground rules, which veered around consensus, he noted.

After Independence many had predicted that India would disintegrate due to its diversity and proving them wrong was the country's unsung accomplishment he said.

And China does not have this capability, he said.

The conversation was held as part of Credit Suisse Global Megatrends Conference in late April.

Last November, Richard Varma, along with a colleague, Samantha Power, had reportedly hailed an auto-rickshaw to attend a meeting,…Pic credit Mexican Embassy

June 20, 2016, NewsCrunch

Mexican ambassador Melba Pria, who gets around in New Delhi, in a white-colour CNG auto-rickshaw, has become a trendsetter.

Many other ambassadors stationed in New Delhi including US Ambassador Richard Varma want to follow her lead, reports The Telegraph quoting diplomatic sources.

Last November, Richard Varma, along with a colleague, Samantha Power, had reportedly hailed an auto-rickshaw to attend a meeting, signalling his readiness to start using the three wheeler.

Two other European embassies in New Delhi, are also said to be exploring the possibility of acquiring auto-rickshaws for the use of its corps. The Vatican's mission in New Delhi has gone a step ahead and decided to buy a few three wheelers, says The Telegraph.

The foreign missions are probably trying to follow Melba Pria’s example in sending out an environmentally-friendly message in the polluted city of Delhi and ‘market their countries,’ better.

But the idea faces hurdles on its way to becoming a reality. For many ambassadors, especially the American envoy, security would be a top concern and the three-wheeler would compromise with that.

Indian protocols bar auto-rickshaws from many venues – Parliament, PM’s residence, for example – which they may have to visit in the course of their duty.

There is also the issue of negotiating Delhi’s extreme heat and cold conditions and the intervening monsoons sitting in an open auto-rickshaw.

When prime minister Manmohan Singh used to go to America, the sa** would be received by ordinary ministers at the airport. But now, when India’s prime minister goes, Obama himself comes to receive him.”

Gulab Chand Kataria, a senior leader of BJP in Rajasthan, is also a member of central working committee of the party. He had been earlier booked by the CBI in the Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter killing.

With Akshay Kumar on board, the Hindi market for Robot 2.0 may open up and that also goes in his favour.

June 20, 2016, NewsCrunch

Media has been reporting that in Robot 2.0 Akshay Kumar is being paid more than Rajinikanth.

Akshay Kumar plays the villain while Rajinikanth is the main lead in the sequel.

No publication, which is reporting this information, has any authentic number, which is indeed hard to come by. Payments in the film industry are confidential and not always above board. There are also various permutations and combinations that decide the actual terms.

Rajinikanth is a legend, who can command Tamil and Telugu markets, which combined may rival or outdo Bollywood in size. Akshay Kumar is no less a star, in fact, ranks among the most highly paid stars in Hindi.

The fact is, Akshay Kumar makes more money than Rajinikanth. According to a Forbes 2015 survey, Akshay Kumar claimed sixth position in the list of Indian celebrities who made the most money by earning Rs 128 crores.

Rajinikanth’s ranking was a lowly 69 (Rs 25 crore earnings).

Bollywood stars make more money through event appearances, promotions or by running other businesses. Rajinikanth is not keen to explore any of these and so, the Forbes list is not a good indicator to settle the question.

Robot 1.0 was reportedly made with 200 crores in 2010 and Rajinikanth was paid Rs 45 crore for the movie. But he has had two flops and no hit after that, and can be expected to take a lower package for the sequel. It is always cold logic and no emotions when it comes to deciding financial terms in the film industry.

With Akshay Kumar on board, the Hindi market for Robot 2.0 may open up and that also goes in his favour. The Hindi rights of Robot 1.0 was sold for just 27 crore, a small part of the Rs 300 crore, it minted in the first two weeks.

There is also a good chance that Akshay Kumar may have agreed to act at a price below what he charges for other films (a reported Rs 35 to 40 crore per film). A meaty role in a Rajini film is tremendous boost to his brand in South India, which he will be able to encash in different ways.

Jackie and Ayesha Shroff’s daughter Krishna is not what you may expect her to be.

She was the original star kid who had gone viral with her near-toplessphotos. After that she fell silent, by and large.

Recently, Krishna Shroff posted an old photo of hers with her dad on the Father’s Day, that was enough to get the attention of media, which dug out her nearly year-old …bold…hot …sizzling…photographs and made her trend again.

We are told that these photos keep buzzing in the social media.

As Krishna Shroff says, these photos were taken by a budding photographer Divina Rikhye, who also happens to be her friend. So, when she models, it is for a pal.

Three years younger to Tiger, Krishna Shroff wants to be a filmmaker not an actress, which is a novelty for a star kid.

Video: Out of control KSRTC bus hitting two lorries caught on camera (CCTV)

The tiger designated as ST-3 seems to have spotted the leopard on a tree and went after it at Sariska Tiger Reserve. Pic courtesy Abhimanyu Singh Rajvi vis HT (video below)

June 20, 2016, NewsCrunc

Visitors to Sariska Tiger Reserve witnessed a rare hunt recently – a tiger taking down a leopard and walking off with its booty.

The rare encounter was caught on camera and the footage has gone viral. The video shows a short fight between the two, partly hidden in the trees. The triumphant tiger crosses the road a few seconds later, carrying the victim in its mouth.

Though the video posted on YouTube has been titled, Clash of the titans, it should be noted that the leopard never stood a chance with the tiger.

A fully grown Indian male leopard can weigh up to 77 kgs, while an adult male tiger can add weight up to 227 kgs.

The territories of both the animals overlap in many parts of India, including Sariska Tiger Reserve in Alwar district of Rajasthan. The leopard chiefly depends on its running speed, which is a little slower than Cheetah’s, to survive the apex predator.

The tiger hunt of leopard was witnessed by a wildlife enthusiast Abhimanyu Singh Rajvi, who is also the grandson of former vice-president Bhairon Singh Shekhawat.

He gave The Hindustan Times, an eyewitness account of the incident, and also shared a few images.

The tiger designated as ST-3 seems to have spotted the leopard on a tree and went after it. After the leopard fell from the tree, ST-3 pounced upon it and killed it within a few minutes.

His close friends say Chris Gayle, in real life, is a devoted family man.

June 21, 2016, NewsCrunch

Chris Gayle posted a photo with his daughter Blush on his Instagram page on the occasion of the Father’s Day on Sunday.

The photo, which shows Blush sleeping on his chest, has gone viral clocking over 45,000 views on his Instagram page alone.

Chris Gayle has been in controversy, of late, facing sexism charges. He first tried flirting with a pretty Australian reporter on live TV and then gave an infamous interview to a British publication during IPL talking about his personal bat.

His Instagram posts also have a constant theme - sex.

His close friends say Chris Gayle does all of this in fun, and in real life, is a devoted family man. He is a one-woman man, who has been loyal to his partner Natasha Berridge for nearly a decade now.

Even the self-confessed playboy of West Indian cricket, Tino Best has given a clean chit to Chris Gayle.

In his autobiography, Tino Best clams he has slept with 500 women and goes out partying with many of fellow cricketers like Bravo. He dismisses Chris Gayle saying the ace batsman is not into bad things.

When Modi sat down, there were two cameraman with their equipment crouching on the on the ground to capture eye-level shots. (video below)

June 21, 2016, NewsCrunch

The International Yoga Day was a big day for Modi and Doordarshan ensured that all angles were covered in getting right the footage of PM doing asanas at Chandigarh.

Besides the regular cameras placed strategically to cover the nearly 30,000 crowd, a few cameras were designated to follow the PM.

After the speech, Modi took a stroll inspecting the participants, who had begun to do yogas.

He was followed by a cameraman lugging a video camera and another still photographer.

After the stroll, Modi went to his designated spot, which had been designed with six yoga mats and stood at the centre. This had the effect of highlighting him separately and yet placing him amongst other participants.

There was a spider cam which devoted nearly half of its time to capture Modi’s stretching and breathing from the sky.

When he sat down, there were two cameraman with their equipment crouching on the on the ground to capture eye-level shots.

Lessons had been learnt and the cameramen had been perhaps strictly instructed not to show Modi wiping sweat. Last year, he had done that in a Tri-colour stole andhad landed in a controversy.

How Doordarshan deployed multiple cameras to capture Modi on Yoga day (Video)